"Everybody wants to play for Pep," he said. "He is a top manager. They know each other very well and I don't think it will be a problem if they keep working together.

"I guess Yaya wants to play for Pep but it depends on what he is thinking and what Pep is thinking. It is a difficult question. He is my younger brother but I leave him to take his decisions for his career."

Yaya joined City in 2010 and has since won the FA Cup, the League twice and two Premier League titles.

He has been linked with moves to China, the MLS and Inter Milan - where former boss Roberto Mancini remains an open admirer - in recent months.